Converter



Jan. 7, 1936. E. L. RAGONNET CONVERTER Filed Feb. 26, 1955 jcae L. 3 1700007 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 7, 1936 PATENT OFFICE CONVERTER Eugene LBagonnet, New York, N. Y., assignor to 1 Pure Carbonic Company of America, New York, N. Y., a. corporation of Delaware Application February 26, 1935, Serial No. 8,279

4 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for converting solid carbon dioxide into liquid and gas, and particularly to an improved closure for such apparatus.

The economic advantage of transporting carbon dioxide in solid form and of converting it at the place where it is to be used for carbonating beverages and other purposes is well known. The conversion is eflected by placing the solid in a container designed to withstand the pressure developed. As the solid sublimes, the pressure Within the container rises until at or above 5 atmospheres, the solid is converted into liquid. As gas is withdrawn from the container, the liquid is gasified until the supply is exhausted.

Since the supply of solid must be replenished from time to time, it is desirable to provide a relatively large inlet opening and a gas-tight clo sure for the opening is essential. The closure, because of its size and weight, is clumsy and difficult to handle. It may be dropped into the interior of the container with consequent inconvenience. I

It is the object of the invention to afford a container adapted for the purpose described with a closure which can be handled easily without danger of dropping into the container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention M will be apparent as it is better understood by ref- W erenee to the following specification and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section through'a container with the closure in sealing position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section in detail illustrating the open position of the closure; and

Fig. l is a plan view of the structure as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates a container of suitable material, such as steel, and preferably cylindrical inform, the container being designed to withstand the pressure developed when solid carbon dioxide is converted therein. The container may be provided with a safety pressure release device. 6 and with an outlet valve I.

At its upper end a flange 8, integral with the wall of the container, surrounds the opening 9 through which solid carbon dioxide may be introduced. A closure It) is provided which is adapted to seat against a gasket II on the under side of the flange 8. I The closure Ill is provided with a bail l2 which is engaged by a wedging bar l3 which normally rests against the upper surface of the flange 8. Thus, by moving the wedging bar l3 to the left viewing Fig. l, the closure l can be drawn snugly against the gasket 1 l to afford a substantial seal. As the pressure rises within the container 5, the closure In is held closely against the gasket forming a gas-tight seal through which the gaseous carbon dioxide cannot escape.

By moving the wedging bar l3 to the right viewing Fig. 1, the closure 10 can be released and it may be permitted to drop downwardly as indicated in Fig. 3. To avoid the possibility of dropa ping the closure into the container and to facilitate handling the bar I3 is connected to angularly disposed arms l4 and I5, the arm 14 being adapted to engage the flange 8 as shown in Fig. 3 to limit the downward movement of the closure I0. Thus, the wedging bar l3 and the arms M and 15 are articulated with the closure 9 so that the latter can be readily moved toward and from a closing position.

As indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, the opening 9 is elliptical in form and the closure I0 is similarly v formed. Consequently, when the closure is dropped to the position indicated in Fig. 3, the articulated assembly can be turned from the position indicated in Fig. 2 to that indicated in Fig. 4. Whereupon the closure Hi can be lifted through the opening 9 and removed from the container. The introduction of solid carbon dioxide is thus facilitated. After the container is supplied with the necessary solid carbon dioxide, the closure can be returned and finally brought to a sealing position as indicated in Fig. 1.

It will be readily understood that the handling of the closure is facilitated by the articulated structure as described, which facilitates handling of the closure and the effective sealing of the container.

Various changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from. the invention or sacrificing advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for converting solid carbon dioxide, comprising a container having an opening at one end with an inwardly directed flange surrounding the opening, a closure adapted to engage the flange and to form therewith a seal, wedging means for forcing, the closure against the flange, and means carried by said wedging means for supporting the closure when it is released from the flange.

2. An apparatus for converting solid carbon a ra dioxide, comprising a container having an opening at one end with an inwardly directed flange supporting the closure when it is released from the flange, the said dimensions of said lastmentioned means being such as to preclude passage through said opening. 7

3. An apparatus for converting solid carbon dioxide, comprising a container having an open ing at one end with an inwardly directed flange surrounding the opening, a closure adapted to engage the flange and to form therewith a seal, wedging means for forcing the closure against the flange, and means carried by said wedging means for supporting the closure when it is released from the flange, the dimensions of said last-mentioned means being such as to preclude passage through said opening.

4. An apparatus for converting solid carbon dioxide, comprising a container having an opening at one end with an inwardly directed flange surrounding the opening, a closure adapted to engage the flange and to form therewith a seal, and means articulated with and adapted to support the closure when the latter is engaged with the flange and also when the closure is released from the flange, including a wedging bar and angularly disposed arms connected thereto and to each other.

' EUGENE L. RAGONNET. 

